Controversial striker Luiz Suarez headed in a last second equaliser to dent Chelsea’s hopes of finishing in the top four, but is now facing a charge from the Football Association.

Suarez should not have even been on the pitch to head in substitute Daniel Sturridge’s cross as he was pictured appearing to bite Branislav Ivanovic’s arm in the 74th minute.

Referee Kevin Friend missed the altercation, but the he FA are sure to take another look at the incident and the Uruguayan international could be heading for a lengthy ban.

It was not the only thing Chelsea were left cursing Friend for as he awarded a mysterious six minutes of injury time and even then the goal came 32 seconds after that period had elapsed.

Chelsea players confronted the official at the final whistle as the reality of dropping two crucial points in the race for the top four struck them.

It ruined Rafael Benitez’s return to his former club, especially as Tottenham had won earlier in the day to close the gap on their rivals.

Goals from Oscar and Eden Hazard appeared to have given Chelsea the edge, only for Liverpool to come back twice thanks to former Chelsea striker Sturridge, who was as inspired as Torres was woeful.

The welcome Benitez received was certainly much warmer than the one reserved for Fernando Torres.

While Benitez was cheered and was the subject of supportive banners in the crowd such as ‘It’s been 1,085 days but welcome back’ and ‘Rafa Too Good for Chelsea’.

There was no such homage paid toward the striker who scored 81 goals in 142 appearances for Liverpool before joining Chelsea for £50m in January 2011.

He was booed from the moment his name was first read out over the tannoy and the locals must have known it doesn’t take much to put him off his game.

This was his sixth appearance against his old club and he has yet to find the net – and he never looked like ending that drought here.

It was actually a surprise he was starting in the first place considering he played against Fulham in midweek and Demba Ba will be cup-tied against Basel in the Europa League on Thursday.

As expected captain John Terry and Frank Lampard were on the bench and in the early stages it looked like Liverpool would capitalise on their absence.

Glen Johnson poked a shot just wide after being played through by Suraez, however Chelsea took control once Oscar headed them in front.

The manner of his goal was all the more gas he capitalised on some woeful defending from Liverpool at a corner to head in Juan Mata’s cross.

Still, the visitors didn’t take advantage of several promising positions afterwards to take real control and so Liverpool were always threatening to get back in the game.

Indeed just before half-time Cech’s reflexes had to be sharp to deny Suarez from close after being played in by Stewart Downing.

Torres may have struggled against his old club, but it didn’t take second half substitute Daniel Sturridge long to show Chelsea what they are missing – just three months after his transfer from Stamford Bridge

The England international made an instant impact off the bench, setting up a great chance for Steven Gerrard within 13 seconds of coming on.

Only a remarkable save by Cech kept it out, yet the keeper could only watch on helplessly two minutes later when he struck a superb shot from 30 yards off the post.

It was only a matter of time before he did get on the scoresheet though and he finished off a sublime move, when Suarez showed the more positive aspect of his game with a sublime cross.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, their comeback was checked by Suarez’s needless intervention when he handled another Mata corner in the area, which led to Hazard’s winner from the spot.

Perhaps the Uruguayan’s frustration over his role in the goal led to his moment of madness, however there was no excuse for it.

Sturridge almost helped create the equaliser with a sublime flick that led to JonJo Shelvey rolling a shot into the side netting much to the home crowd’s frustration.

But just as Chelsea were planning to enjoy the coach journey home, he put in a fine cross for Suarez to head home and spark wild celebrations.